Why Nigeria? Day 3 of Project FED

Over the last two days, I've talked about Project FED and the work I'm doing to get it going.

Yesterday, I read about the kidnapping of yet another priest in Nigeria by Boko Haram. They also kidnapped 140 schoolchildren, most likely to raise ransom money. It is the fourth mass school kidnapping since December.

Nigeria: The Canary in the Mines

Why do I care? First, I have friends who live in Nigeria and other friends whose families live there. 

Second, because I see Nigeria as a sort of canary in the mines for America and all resource-wealthy nations. What can happen to them can happen to us. What we do about it will determine our destiny.

Underground miners in America used to bring canaries down with them into the mines. In addition to their music providing the workers with something to help cheer them, those canaries were an early warning system that notified them when the air was becoming too toxic. If the canary stopped singing, they needed to get out right away.

Nigeria hasn't stopped singing - yet. But she is dying. She is being raped, pillaged, and plundered by those whose greed and envy of her wealth leads them to do whatever they think they can get away with in order to get what they want. It's Nigeria today, but it can easily be America tomorrow.

My Connections to Nigeria

I began to form connections with the people in Nigeria in 2013. That was when I met an immigrant from Nigeria and his American wife. He was employed by the mines in Elko, Nevada and was a leader in our church.

A few years later, in 2016, I met several more immigrants from Nigeria. These friends worked and lived in the UK. As my network expanded, I came to know more and more people with connections to Nigeria and whose families lived in Nigeria. One of those was Father Lucas.

In 2020, I was honored to be able to meet some of Nigeria's talented celebrities at an event where I was invited to speak, including author Titi Horsfall and actress Alex Okoroji. I could not help hearing their stories and taking them to heart.

An Unexpected Prophecy

Recently, during Adoration, I received a prophecy concerning Nigeria:

O, Nigeria, you are laid low and your sins made bare for all to see. Those once proud of you have now turned away in shame. Your pride has been your downfall. 

But do not lose hope, for God has looked upon you with favor. He sees those who envy the many children you bear and the strength of your youth. He will raise you up among them and will deliver you out of their hands. 

Behold, a son comes, one who is mighty and will unite a people divided and restore to you the wealth that has been taken from you. You will be set as a crown on the head of a king and the gems in you will gleam like stars in the night sky. 

Only do not forget me, Nigeria. I will raise you up and I will be your strength but not on your own account do I do this! No! 

It is so that you who have been made low and taught to be humble may, through what others witness, be living proof of my saving powers. Be not haughty nor proud. 

It is your weakness, and not your strength, that makes you a valuable weapon in my hand to take down the proud from their thrones and to render the wealthy man's coffers empty. Forget not what I have done for you and do not waiver in your faith for as surely as you put me away from you, you will find your streets barren and your children taken from you. 

Your weakness will once again be seen by all and wild dogs will tear you to pieces as they fight amongst themselves for your spoils. Hear me and heed my commands. Listen to my decree and bend your knee to me. Let my kingdom come and my will be done. 

To the nations who now mock Nigeria, be warned: Your time is coming. See how low I have brought this queen? See how I have stripped her of all her finery and her gems so that all could see her weakness? 

You will be laid low and made less than she is now, your pride acting as an anchor to drag you beneath the waters and keep you there. Do not look on Nigeria and mocker her as if you were better than she. 

Look upon her and repent before her fate becomes your own! Put off your pride and put on the garments of humility! Recognize that though you see yourself as greater than she, in my eyes you are barren fools, empty vessels, and have refused and rejected my call to serve. It will not go well with you. 

But if you turn aside and listen to me, a greater wealth is to be found in my service.

 The Decision to Take Action

It is easy to hear stories and to feel in your heart you should do something, but it is also easy to decide that you are just one person and there is nothing you can do. That is safer and easier by far. If there is nothing I can do, I tuck it away and allow myself to continue living as I always have.

But then I realized there was something I could do and with that realization came the conviction to do what I could do. I cannot do everything, nor can anyone, but I can do something. Project FED is what I am doing based on what I can do.

Life, Relationship, and Business Tip of the Day

Life Tip 2: Focus on one thing and commit to doing it.

You can't do everything. You are a finite being and you have limited resources. Focus on what you can do and commit to doing it to the best of your ability.

Relationship Tip 2: Make friends with people who come from places you've never been to.

Not only will this broaden your horizons but it will help you to understand how people from other places think and will open your eyes to opportunities you never imagined were possible. Facebook and Twitter make this easier than ever before, although Nigeria's social media ban is making that more challenging for people. 

Business Tip 3: If you don't know how to do it, find someone who does.

I've had a Zazzle shop for years but I've never done anything with it because I got overwhelmed trying to figure it out and quit. I've committed to this project, though, and I can't give up. I have to figure it out. 

Fortunately, there are a ton of YouTube videos out there by Zazzle shop owners who share their strategies and tutorials that will get you going. 

This is largely true for almost any business you want to start today. There is a whole lot of information out there for you - you just have to search for it.

Join Project FED

I am still seeking volunteers and those who are interested in supporting the project. If what I have written has interested you and you are ready to join, visit our landing page and sign up. Visit our shop at https://www.zazzle.com/store/projectfed.

Are you from Nigeria? Do you have family or friends in Nigeria?

Comment below and let me know. I'd love to hear from you. If the answer is no, let me know where you're from and what is it about Nigeria that interests you.